Being "just" a Mom is enough for me! I'm very confident with the choice I've made to actually raise my own child! And, I have lots of friends that have made the exact same choice! So I am lucky because I have lots of support with those friends.
I think the problem is that we allow others to dictate how we measure or define our own self-worth. Motherhood is not a one size fits all...it is different for every woman that experiences it - some women 'find' themselves in motherhood, others feel they 'lose' themselves (all or in part), and others (like me) find that its some of both. I delight in the things I've discovered about myself through being a mom and I can't imagine having NOT been home with Noah over the last two years, but there's always a part of me that feels like I've lost a piece of me in the process...that my current role and sacrifices don't account for everything that makes me, ME. So (and this sounds so cliche), I think you should honor what makes your family happy...and be sure that you include yourself.
I agree with you Amanda, each person has a unique situation and different desires. While support from your friends is helpful, if they turn their backs on you or think less of you because you made a decision that you thought was best for your family, then show them to the curb with a footprint on their a$$. A person should make an educated decision based on what best for them and their family. That is it!
I became "just a mom" because that is exactly what I wanted to be and what worked for my family. I have no regrets. I agree with Amanda that you need to honor what makes YOU and your family happy. I think being a stay at home mom is one of the biggest jobs and one of the biggest priveleges any woman could hope for. Your sense of self-worth needs to come from inside and not from how you think other's are judging you.
Being "just" a Mom is enough for me! I'm very confident with the choice I've made to actually raise my own child! And, I have lots of friends that have made the exact same choice! So I am lucky because I have lots of support with those friends.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is that we allow others to dictate how we measure or define our own self-worth. Motherhood is not a one size fits all...it is different for every woman that experiences it - some women 'find' themselves in motherhood, others feel they 'lose' themselves (all or in part), and others (like me) find that its some of both. I delight in the things I've discovered about myself through being a mom and I can't imagine having NOT been home with Noah over the last two years, but there's always a part of me that feels like I've lost a piece of me in the process...that my current role and sacrifices don't account for everything that makes me, ME. So (and this sounds so cliche), I think you should honor what makes your family happy...and be sure that you include yourself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Amanda, each person has a unique situation and different desires. While support from your friends is helpful, if they turn their backs on you or think less of you because you made a decision that you thought was best for your family, then show them to the curb with a footprint on their a$$. A person should make an educated decision based on what best for them and their family. That is it!
ReplyDeleteI became "just a mom" because that is exactly what I wanted to be and what worked for my family. I have no regrets. I agree with Amanda that you need to honor what makes YOU and your family happy. I think being a stay at home mom is one of the biggest jobs and one of the biggest priveleges any woman could hope for. Your sense of self-worth needs to come from inside and not from how you think other's are judging you.
ReplyDelete